Gretchen Rubin

Don't wait until you have some free time. You may never have any free time.

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#SecretsOfAdulthood

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Accept yourself
and
expect more
from yourself.

If you're too tired to do anything except watch TV or cruise the internet, go to sleep.

As someone who loves a great bookstore, I was very happy to read that “Bookstores are booming and becoming more diverse.”

When I got my first real job, my father told me, “If you take the blame when you deserve it, people will give you responsibility.”

I’ve found that to be very true. Difficult, but true.

In my experience, until someone in a group accepts blame, everyone stays focused on pinpointing the person at fault. I’ve found that once I own up (if appropriate), the focus often shifts from blame to resolution.

Years ago, when I was still working as a lawyer, I once directed a team of people who were creating an important report for the FCC. The report faced severe criticism in a senior meeting.

As the most junior person in the room, I was tempted to stay silent, but I chose to follow my father’s advice.

”I gave this team their directions,” I said. “They didn’t get it wrong, that’s on me. Let’s talk about how the report needs to change so I can give them better guidance.”

I’d worried that admitting my screw-up would harm my reputation. But in fact, it showed that I could admit fault and work to fix it.

After I spoke up, the criticism from the senior people became more constructive—and my team appreciated that I hadn’t shifted the blame onto them.

This isn’t about making blanket apologies or being willing to be a punching bag; it’s about owning up to our own mistakes.

I’ve found that it’s really true: When we’re willing to take the blame when we deserve it, people will give us responsibility.

#Leadership #CareerAdvice #Work

I often hear from people who want to be happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative at work. The end of summer and the shift of work routines gives us the opportunity to reevaluate whether the way we work aligns with our own natures, interests, and experiences.

Be happy yourself.

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#SecretsofAdulthood

The days are long, but the years are short.

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#SecretsOfAdulthood

Enthusiasm is a form of social courage.

It’s often safer to criticize and scoff than to praise and embrace; it can seem cooler and smarter to be ironic, detached, or critical. Enthusiasm is more fun, however. Enthusiasm is generous, positive, energetic, and social. It’s outward-turning and engaged. It’s brave, unself-conscious, warm-hearted, and kind of goofy.

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It’s great to have a long menu of choices to consult. Of course, everyone’s list is a bit different. My husband’s list would include “Do a crossword puzzle,” for instance.

http://bit.ly/2OdAq7T

Things often get messier before they get tidier.

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#SecretsOfAdulthood